geekosystem

This morning the U.S. Navy launched the unmanned X-47B drone from the USS H. W. Bush nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The launch was a first of its kind, as is the X-47B, which is the first drone designed to take off from and land on an aircraft carrier. The X-47B is the size of a fighter jet, and can now be launched from almost anywhere in the world.

This past weekend, a mysterious object was spotted on the back of a flatbed truck off I-57, south of Champaign, Illinois. Many contacted the local news claiming to have spotted a UFO being transported by truck. Now, it has come to light that this was one of the stealthy X-47B drones on a road trip across America.

Aeronautics giant Northrop Grumman has announced the successful first flight of their stealthy X-47B unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UACV) on Februay 4th at Edwards Airforce Base in California. For the Airforce, and Northrop Grumman, this is a major step forward as they look to deliver an aircraft capable of aircraft carrier-based autonomous take, off landing, and in-flight refueling. After completing it's 29 minute flight this past week, the aircraft will undergo more testing before beginning carrier trials in 2013. Though aerial drones are, for the most part, well understood by the general public, the X-47B is unique amongst the drones that have made the headlines thus far.